Appendices - Armagh City and District Council

STAGE ONE REPORT
The Paul Hogarth Company
Evidence in support of an Armagh Masterplan
as it did not have the critical mass to attract and retain significant new investment. The
Issues Paper highlighted the potential of Armagh to act as the prime driver of economic
growth across the district and recommended a settlement growth allocation of 35.5% of
new development within Armagh. However, the Council considered that the new plan
must be centred on accelerating the development of key settlements within the plan
area, and recommended a growth distribution of 45% to Armagh;
The area needed more industrial, recreational and residential zones: In addition the
Issues paper noted that only two of the 22 acres identified for industry within Armagh
City have been developed for this use, suggesting that potential development
opportunities still existd within the area. Furthermore, Invest NI had advised the Council
that there was strong interest in locating new inward investment projects within Armagh
City, and as such it was important to generate a critical mass of land zoned for
industrial, recreational and residential purposes in order to create a critical mass 1 . The
key location identified for industrial development in both the Issues Paper and the
Council’s response was the greenfield site at Mullinure, to the north of the city;
Armagh has the potential to rebrand itself as an area for niche retail: Armagh had
recently suffered from a lack of investment in its retail sector and competition from
neighbouring centres including Newry, Craigavon, Portadown, Dungannon and
Banbridge. There was therefore a major opportunity for the development of Armagh as
a ‘niche’ retail location, particularly given the lack of competition from out of town retail
parks. It was recognised that sites at Shambles and Ogle Street had the opportunity to
act as catalysts for the wider regeneration of the city centre. It was noted that these
sites should be zoned for mixed use and prioritised for future development, and that out
of town development be restricted until these sites are regenerated; and
A number of strategically important development sites existed: there was the
opportunity to facilitate significant regeneration and economic development
opportunities through the effective re-use of these sites. A short list of sites and
properties available for commercial development in Armagh were provided.
1.21 Any future town centre Masterplan should consider the findings of the above Review.
Conclusions
1.22 In conclusion this section has examined the development of a proposed Masterplan for
Armagh Town Centre, in the context of the regional strategies of key economic development
stakeholders, specifically DSD, DETI, DRD and Armagh City and District Council. The
section has highlighted how a new Masterplan could complement and help contribute to the
achievement of these strategies. In summary the Masterplan should:
Aim to establish Armagh as a commercial centre. This should include the development
of niche retail, and in doing so, encourage visitors into the town;
Help assist in the regeneration of urban areas, and complement the activity of the
surrounding rural areas; and
Provide the environment for businesses to grow and engage in high value added
activity, and in so doing contribute to the economic growth of the region, providing new
opportunities and increased economic activity to local residents.
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1 However it must be noted that in the current economic climate, inward investment will be scarce
and more difficult to attract.